best insurance stock 2013

best insurance stock 2013 : While we expect strong first-quarter 2013 results in the property and casualty insurance sector, we are more cautious on the group overall given improved valuation and potential for increasing competition going forward, given strong balance sheets and growing capacity.

We are estimating an increase of just over 1% in tangible book value with about 2% positive impact from earnings per share offset partly by about 1% negative impact from fixed-income marks. We increased our first-quarter estimates about 15% on average reflecting lower catastrophe expectations and some higher alternative-investment returns. For the full years 2013 and 2014, our estimates are up about 4% and 2%, respectively.

We don't see much improvement in return on equity (ROE) over the next couple of years. Our 2013 and 2014 estimates imply average ROE of 9.5% and 9.7%, respectively. While results will benefit from some rate on the insurance side and continued capital management, we don't think this represents enough of a tailwind to materially improve ROEs for the group. Offsetting these positives, net interest income (NII) remains low, balance sheets remain strong (resulting in ongoing risk of competition) and reserve releases could slow (although trends there have continued to be better than expected).

While we think insurance pricing will trend in positive territory, further acceleration seems unlikely and moderation of improvement is possible.

On the property reinsurance side, there is increasing capacity and competition from alternative capital that will likely continue to put pressure on strong returns. We feel this dynamic offsets any incremental demand changes taking place in the market. In our view, further momentum for the stocks rests greatly on continued improvement in the core accident year loss ratios.

While this should likely continue given the benefits of prior rate increases, 2012 is a somewhat tougher comparison with regard to noncatastrophic loss levels and any shortfall versus expectations for improvement in core loss ratio going forward could negatively impact the group. We don't think this is likely to occur in the first quarter but is a risk to keep in mind going forward.

Valuations already reflect the expectation of good results for the first quarter of 2013 in our view. The property and casualty underwriters are up 16% on average year-to-date versus the Standard & Poor's 500 up 9% and the Financial Select Sector Index up 10%.

Price-to-tangible book value on our group of companies has increased to 1.07 times (1.16 times excluding accumulated other comprehensive income (AOCI)) versus 0.98 times prior to fourth-quarter 2012 results.

We do not see potential for any meaningful multiple expansion from this level without a better ROE outlook. We increased our price targets about 7% on average reflecting book value growth, some earnings increase, and higher multiple (up about 0.07 times on average from previous price targets).

We have continued to favor stocks that we feel trade at discounts to the group (or are undervalued relative to earnings power and franchise strength) and have specific catalysts in addition to insurance rate increases and capital management (mix changes, mergers and acquisitions (M&A), levers to drive earnings above forecast).

While generally we feel insurers or companies with insurance exposure are better positioned than reinsurers, valuation differences make individual stock selection increasingly more important in our view.

In the large-cap space, we continue to favor Ace (ticker: ACE) and XL Group (XL). In the mid-cap space, we favor Axis Capital Holdings (AXS), Hanover Insurance Group (THG) and Allied World Assurance Co. Holdings (AWH). We favor Maiden Holdings (MHLD) in the small-cap arena.

We are more cautious on Travelers (TRV) and Arch Capital Group (ACGL) given valuation and Montpelier Re Holdings (MRH) given property reinsurance focus.

Selective Insurance Group stock rating target price by Zacks Analyst

Best Insurance Stock -Selective Insurance Group stock rating target price by Zacks Analyst :  Zacks upgraded shares of Selective Insurance Group (NASDAQ: SIGI) from a neutral rating to an outperform rating in a report released on Wednesday, Analyst Ratings.Net reports. Zacks currently has $26.00 target price on the stock.

Zacks has also modified their ratings on a number of other financial stocks in the few days. The firm upgraded shares of Horace Mann Educators Co. from a neutral rating to an outperform rating. The firm now has a $23.80 price target on that stock. Also, Zacks reiterated its neutral rating on shares of American International Group. They have a $41.00 price target on that stock. Finally, Zacks upgraded shares of Markel Co. from a neutral rating to an outperform rating. Zacks now has a $528.50 price target on that stock.

A number of other firms have also recently commented on SIGI. Analysts at Keefe, Bruyette & Woods upgraded shares of Selective Insurance Group from a market perform rating to an outperform rating in a research note to investors on Tuesday, February 19th. They now have a $25.00 price target on the stock. Analysts at RBC Capital raised their price target on shares of Selective Insurance Group from $20.00 to $23.00 in a research note to investors on Monday, February 4th. They now have a sector perform rating on the stock.

Shares of Selective Insurance Group (NASDAQ: SIGI) traded up 1.16% during mid-day trading on Wednesday, hitting $23.53. Selective Insurance Group has a 52 week low of $16.22 and a 52 week high of $24.49. The stock’s 50-day moving average is currently $23.22. The company has a market cap of $1.305 billion and a P/E ratio of 34.21.

Selective Insurance Group, Inc. is a holding company of seven insurance subsidiaries. The Company, through its subsidiaries, offers property and casualty insurance products and services in the East and Midwest of the United States.

Travelers stock rating prices target

Travelers stock rating prices target : TheStreet reissued their buy rating on shares of The Travelers Companies (NYSE: TRV) in a report released on Monday, StockRatingsNetwork reports. “Travelers Companies (TRV) has been reiterated by TheStreet Ratings as a buy with a ratings score of A-. The company’s strengths can be seen in multiple areas, such as its solid stock price performance, revenue growth, largely solid financial position with reasonable debt levels by most measures, attractive valuation levels and good cash flow from operations. We feel these strengths outweigh the fact that the company has had sub par growth in net income.” ,” the firm’s analyst commented.


The Travelers Companies (NYSE: TRV) traded down 1.89% on Monday, hitting $84.91. The Travelers Companies has a 52-week low of $59.40 and a 52-week high of $86.61. The stock’s 50-day moving average is currently $83.10. The company has a market cap of $32.092 billion and a price-to-earnings ratio of 13.75.

TRV has been the subject of a number of other recent research reports. Analysts at Evercore Partners reiterated an equal weight rating on shares of The Travelers Companies in a research note to investors on Thursday, April 11th. They now have a $87.00 price target on the stock. Separately, analysts at Sandler O’Neill raised their price target on shares of The Travelers Companies from $89.00 to $95.00 in a research note to investors on Tuesday, April 9th. Finally, analysts at Credit Suisse raised their price target on shares of The Travelers Companies from $95.00 to $100.00 in a research note to investors on Tuesday, April 9th. They now have an outperform rating on the stock.

Nine investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, eight have assigned a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the stock. The Travelers Companies has a consensus rating of Buy and a consensus price target of $85.27.

The Travelers Companies, Inc. (NYSE: TRV) is a holding company.

Best Insurance Stocks Strong to Buy This Week

Best Insurance Stock - Best Insurance Stocks Strong to Buy This Week : This week, seven Insurance stocks are improving their overall ratings on Portfolio Grader. Each of these stocks is rated an “A” (“strong buy”) or “B” overall (“buy”).

W.R. Berkley (NYSE:WRB) is progressing from last week’s rating of B (“buy”) as the company improves to an A (“strong buy”) this week. W. R. Berkley is an insurance holding company in the United States, which operates in five business segments: specialty insurance, regional property casualty insurance, alternative markets, reinsurance and international. In Portfolio Grader’s specific subcategories of Earnings Surprise and Cash Flow, WRB also gets A’s

XL Group (NYSE:XL) gets a higher grade this week, advancing from a B last week to an A. XL Group provides property, casualty and specialty products to industrial, commercial and professional firms worldwide.

This week, National Western Life Insurance (NASDAQ:NWLI) is showing significant improvement as the company’s rating hops from a C (“hold”) to a B (“buy”). National Western Life Insurance sells life insurance and annuity products in the United States

American National Insurance (NASDAQ:ANAT) earns a B this week, jumping up from last week’s grade of C. American National Insurance offers financial products and services, individual and group health insurance and annuities, credit insurance, pension products, and mutual funds. At present, the stock has a dividend yield of 3.1%.

Endurance Specialty (NYSE:ENH) improves from a C to a B rating this week. Endurance Specialty Holdings is the holding company for Endurance Specialty Insurance, which provides property and casualty insurance and reinsurance

The rating of Aspen Insurance Holdings (NYSE:AHL) moves up this week, rising from a B to an A. Aspen Insurance Holdings provides insurance and reinsurance solutions worldwide.

EMC Insurance (NASDAQ:EMCI) boosts its rating from a C to a B this week. EMC Insurance focuses on the sale of commercial lines of property and casualty insurance to small and medium-sized businesses, institutions, and individual customers through independent insurance agents. Shares of EMCI have increased 11.3% over the past month, better than the 0.8% increase the Nasdaq has seen over the same period of time
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Citigroup upgraded Rating shares of China Life Insurance

Best Insurance stock - Citigroup upgraded Rating shares of China Life Insurance : Citigroup upgraded shares of China Life Insurance (NYSE: LFC) from a neutral rating to a buy rating in a research report sent to investors on Tuesday morning, TheFlyOnTheWall.com reports.

Shares of China Life Insurance (NYSE: LFC) traded down 2.23% during mid-day trading on Tuesday, hitting $39.81. China Life Insurance has a one year low of $33.00 and a one year high of $52.72. The stock’s 50-day moving average is currently $42.12. The company has a market cap of $73.618 billion and a P/E ratio of 43.78.

A number of other analysts have also recently weighed in on LFC. Analysts at Credit Suisse upgraded shares of China Life Insurance from an underperform rating to a neutral rating in a research note to investors on Wednesday, March 27th. Separately, analysts at Zacks downgraded shares of China Life Insurance from a neutral rating to an underperform rating in a research note to investors on Thursday, January 17th. They now have a $46.00 price target on the stock.

One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, four have issued a hold rating and two have assigned a buy rating to the company’s stock. China Life Insurance has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $46.00.

China Life Insurance Company Limited is an insurance company. The Company provides a range of insurance products, including individual life insurance, group life insurance, accident insurance and health insurance products.

Eastern Insurance Holdings stock rating prices target

Best Insurance Stock Option - Eastern Insurance Holdings stock rating prices target : Zacks upgraded shares of Eastern Insurance Holdings (NASDAQ: EIHI) from a neutral rating to an outperform rating in a research report released on Tuesday morning, Stock Ratings Network reports. Zacks currently has $19.50 price target on the stock.


Shares of Eastern Insurance Holdings (NASDAQ: EIHI) opened at 18.73 on Tuesday. Eastern Insurance Holdings has a 52 week low of $14.14 and a 52 week high of $19.26. The stock’s 50-day moving average is currently $18.3. The company has a market cap of $140.7 million and a P/E ratio of 14.19.

Separately, analysts at KBW raised their price target on shares of Eastern Insurance Holdings from $18.00 to $19.00 in a research note to investors on Monday, February 11th.

Eastern Insurance Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: EIHI) is an insurance holding company offering workers’ compensation and group benefits insurance and reinsurance products, through its direct and indirect wholly owned subsidiaries, Eastern Holding Company, Ltd.

Health Insurance Innovations stock rating prices target

best insurance stock today - Health Insurance Innovations stock rating prices target : Research analysts at Raymond James boosted their target price on shares of Health Insurance Innovations (NASDAQ: HIIQ) from $19.00 to $20.50 in a report released on Tuesday, Stock Ratings Network.com reports.

Shares of Health Insurance Innovations (NASDAQ: HIIQ) traded down 2.36% during mid-day trading on Tuesday, hitting $14.92. Health Insurance Innovations has a 52 week low of $12.00 and a 52 week high of $15.86. The stock’s 50-day moving average is currently $13.84. The company has a market cap of $79.0 million and a P/E ratio of 24.18.

A number of other firms have also recently commented on HIIQ. Analysts at Bank of America initiated coverage on shares of Health Insurance Innovations in a research note to investors on Tuesday, March 5th. They set a “buy” rating and a $18.00 price target on the stock. Separately, analysts at Credit Suisse initiated coverage on shares of Health Insurance Innovations in a research note to investors on Tuesday, March 5th. They set an “outperform” rating and a $17.00 price target on the stock. Finally, analysts at Citigroup initiated coverage on shares of Health Insurance Innovations in a research note to investors on Monday, March 4th. They set a “buy” rating and a $18.00 price target on the stock.

Health Insurance Innovations, Inc. is a developer and administrator of Web-based individual health insurance plans and ancillary products.